NZ series to limit Bangladesh players' IPL availability; Easwaran added to auction list

The availability of Bangladeshi cricketers for the upcoming IPL season could be affected by their international commitments. With IPL franchise representatives gathering in Abu Dhabi, the news emerged that a series between Bangladesh and New Zealand in April might restrict Bangladesh players' participation in the 2026 IPL. The series includes six white-ball matches.

Seven Bangladeshi players are listed in the auction, with base prices ranging from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 2 crore. Mustafizur Rahman is considered the most likely to be picked by an IPL team. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. even his participation might be limited to a later replacement role if national duties take precedence, similar to last year.

The BCCI is expected to update franchises on the availability of overseas players during a pre-auction meeting scheduled for Monday evening at the W Hotel in Abu Dhabi. A recent BCCI communication reiterated that standard procedure will be followed regarding overseas player availability.

The communication stated that for the auction, a player's expected unavailability will be ignored, and the full annual fee will be deducted from the salary cap, assuming 100% availability. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the BCCI will provide franchises with expected availability information for each relevant player to aid in their strategy.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated they will issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for their players. BCB cricket operation chairman Nazmul Abedin told Cricbuzz on Sunday that they want their players to participate as much as possible in the IPL and will release them, ensuring they return for the minimum requirement of the New Zealand series.

In related news, the BCCI has added additional players to the auction register. While the official announcement is expected at the Monday evening briefing, it has been reported that Abhimanyu Easwaran's name is among the additions.

Easwaran, captain of Bengal, was initially recommended by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) with a base price of Rs 30 lakh. Although he was missing from the final list of 350 players, a franchise re-submitted his name. The 30-year-old is known as a red-ball specialist, but he also delivered impressive performances in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), scoring 266 runs in seven innings at an average of 44.33 and a strike rate of 152. His scores included a century (130) against Punjab and a half-century (58) against Services. Easwaran has never played in the IPL.